An early end for players' Cal tenures

Updated 11:48 pm, Thursday, November 15, 2012

While he will undoubtedly make a nice living as an NFL wide receiver, Keenan Allen treasured his nearly three years in the Cal program, so much so that missing the final three games of his junior season exacted an emotional toll from him.

Allen, Cal's career reception leader with 205, is expected to declare for the NFL draft if he receives a positive predraft evaluation from the league.

He missed the Washington and Oregon games with a knee injury that will also prevent him from playing in Cal's season finale against Oregon State on Saturday night in Corvallis.

"He's been very emotional about it," coach Jeff Tedford said. "The first game he could not play, he was very emotional in the locker room. He was in tears. It hits you when you get in that environment with the guys and you can't go out there with them."

Allen will be joined on the sideline, inactive, by his half-brother, quarterback Zach Maynard, who has a knee injury that will cause him to miss the last two games of his Cal career.

"He was very disappointed last week not to be able to play in his last home game," Tedford said of the Oregon game.

For Oregon State, Cal will go with junior Allen Bridgford at quarterback. In his first extended playing time a week ago against Oregon, Bridgford completed 9 of 21 passes for 113 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

"He's got a great arm, great vision and a good feel for the game," offensive coordinator Jim Michalczik said. "As a staff we want to give him a chance to shine. He's very efficient, very composed."

Also missing the Oregon State game will be right tackle Matt Summers-Gavin, another player having his senior season end on a disappointing note. Junior Bill Tyndall will replace him.

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